Nevada mesothelioma lawyers help asbestos exposure victims seek justice. In Nevada, the number of deaths related to asbestos exposure between 1999 and 2017 numbered nearly 2,000.[1] Nevada has not seen as many asbestos deaths as other states, but people have still suffered because of asbestos exposure on the job, in casinos and older buildings, and because of contaminated vermiculite.
Nevada Mesothelioma Lawyers Get Results for Asbestos Victims
If you live in Nevada and have an asbestos illness like mesothelioma or asbestosis, you have legal rights. Exposure has occurred throughout the state, including in Las Vegas, Henderson, Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Fernley, Boulder City, and more.
Asbestos victims rely on Nevada mesothelioma attorneys and firms for many reasons:
- Free initial consultations
- Expertise in asbestos and related laws
- Resources to investigate and find asbestos companies responsible for exposure
- Experience winning for similar clients
- The best chance of recovering damages
- No fees until they win
Where Was I Exposed to Asbestos in Nevada?
One of the most important reasons to seek out an experienced Nevada asbestos attorney is because they know where asbestos exposure occurred in the state. To get compensation, you need to know which companies exposed you to asbestos.
Tainted Vermiculite and Asbestos Exposure
Workplace exposure has always been the biggest source of harmful asbestos for Nevadans. One of the worst instances of job exposure occurred over decades of working with vermiculite from Libby, Montana.
Between the 1950s and 1990, the mine produced vermiculite, a mineral used in many products. All of the vermiculite it produced and shipped to processing facilities around the country contained contaminating asbestos.
In Nevada, the vermiculite from Libby went to at least three different manufacturing companies that used it to make drywall:[2][3][4]
- U.S. Gypsum Company
- Pabco Gypsum/Johns Manville
- Flintkote
Residents living near these facilities were also put at risk. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) visited each of the former drywall plants and found that the levels of asbestos were low enough not to pose a risk to residents.
Construction, Tourism, and Asbestos
The most prominent industries in Nevada, especially in recent decades, are tourism and construction. People visit the attractions and casinos in Las Vegas, Reno, and Lake Tahoe, but the Silver State is a popular place to live, and new construction boomed in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Older homes and buildings, many of which contain asbestos, have also been rebuilt. Anyone working in construction, from carpenters and contractors to electricians and plumbers, is at risk of asbestos exposure.
Casinos are among the most popular attractions in Nevada and are sources of asbestos exposure. In Las Vegas, more than thirty casinos have filed paperwork for asbestos abatement projects. Not all of these projects have been conducted responsibly and safely.
In 2007, the Flamingo Hotel and Casino underwent an investigation for remodeling in a way that exposed workers and guests to asbestos.
Harrah’s has also faced scrutiny over asbestos work and has been fined more than once for violating safe asbestos handling rules. An employee of Harrah’s sued the casino, claiming he completed an entire renovation project without being told there was asbestos.[5]
Other Sites in Nevada with Asbestos
Several other industries and workplaces in Nevada have been sources of asbestos that exposed workers and residents. Numerous power plants in the state, several chemical companies, and military sites have been significant sources of asbestos exposure.
The following is a small sample of sites known to have had asbestos and put people at risk of getting sick.
- American Potash and Chemical Corporation, Henderson
- Stauffer Chemical Company, Henderson and Las Vegas
- Titanium Chemical Plant, Henderson
- Mohave Power Station, Laughlin
- Clark Station, Las Vegas
- Dixie Valley Power Plant, Reno
- Nevada Power Company, Las Vegas
- Reid Gardner Power Plant, Moapa
- Steed Air Force Base, Reno
- Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas
- Desert Inn Hotel, Las Vegas
- Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas
- Tropicana Hotel, Las Vegas
- McNeil Construction Company, Henderson
- S. Lime Products Corporation, Henderson
- Foreland Refining, Duckwater, Ely, Railroad Valley, Tonopah
Can I Still Be Exposed to Asbestos in Nevada Today?
Most harmful asbestos exposure occurred in the past when many industries used it heavily, and laws did not recognize the harm it could cause. Today, many people are surprised to learn that asbestos is still legal and can still cause harm.
There are two main ways in which current residents and workers in Nevada are at risk of asbestos exposure:
Natural Asbestos Deposits in Nevada
Asbestos has never been mined in Nevada, but according to the U.S. Geological Survey, there are natural deposits throughout the state.[6] Naturally occurring asbestos can pose a risk to residents because if it is disturbed, it can become airborne and contaminate soil, water, and air, leading to exposure.
The deposits remain mostly undisturbed by mining, road building, and construction and have not posed a significant risk in the state. This could change in areas with rapid population growth.
Boulder City in Clark County is one of those growing areas. An Interstate 11 bypass was completed recently, and there are plans for another freeway through the area to connect Las Vegas to Phoenix.
The road construction and expected new homes and commercial buildings could disturb local asbestos deposits, putting area residents at risk.
Experts at the University of Nevada Las Vegas have warned of the dangers in reports. The state government has responded by downplaying the risk, but residents are concerned.[7]
Asbestos in Nevada’s Older Buildings
Casino buildings have come under fire for containing asbestos and putting staff and visitors at risk of exposure. Casinos are not the only sites in the state with lingering asbestos. Many older homes have asbestos that can cause exposure during renovations.
A recent incident illustrates the ongoing risk to residents. The U.S. Department of Justice sentenced a Las Vegas apartment manager in 2022 for violating the Clean Air Act.[8]
Bobby Khalili renovated apartment buildings without taking proper precautions for asbestos. His actions violated federal law and put residents at risk of asbestos exposure.
What Are Nevada’s Asbestos Laws?
Nevada and federal laws are supposed to protect workers and residents from ongoing asbestos exposure. Nevada also has state laws that affect how victims file lawsuits and recover damages for past exposure.
Asbestos Safety Regulations
Nevada follows all federal laws regarding asbestos set by the EPA and other agencies. State, local, and county laws also dictate how asbestos should be handled, abated, and thrown away. In Las Vegas, any demolition or renovation project cannot begin until the Clark County Department of Air Quality and Environmental Management has been notified in writing.
Each project must first be inspected by a professional certified under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act. In addition to county-level rules, the state of Nevada sets regulations, including rules for disposing of asbestos, certification as an asbestos inspector, and transport and containment of asbestos.
Statute of Limitations
If you believe a company negligently exposed you to asbestos, you may want to sue. Don’t wait too long. In Nevada, you have two years from the time you receive a diagnosis to file, so it is crucial to act as soon as you find out you are sick.
You can also file a lawsuit on behalf of a dead loved one, but this also has a statute of limitations. You must file within two years after the time of death.
Limits on Recovering Damages
Nevada’s laws governing negligence lawsuits limit the amount of damages asbestos victims can recover. For instance, the comparative negligence rule states that a plaintiff cannot recover any damages if they are found to be more than 50% to blame for their asbestos illness.
Nevada law also limits the amount of punitive damages a plaintiff can recover. These are the damages that are intended to punish the negligent defendant.
Health Care for Cancer in Nevada
Anyone exposed to asbestos should be aware of the health risks it poses. You should be screened for related illnesses like mesothelioma and asbestosis. Getting good care for these illnesses is crucial.
Although there are no National Cancer Institute-designated cancer care centers in Nevada, facilities provide cutting-edge cancer treatment. The Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada in the Las Vegas area is a great option for screening, diagnosis, and treatment for mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer.
Find a Nevada Mesothelioma Lawyer
To file an asbestos lawsuit, it is important to work with a reliable Nevada mesothelioma lawyer. You’ll get the expert advice and guidance you need to make a strong case capable of winning in a settlement or trial.
Filing a lawsuit and following through with it isn’t easy, especially if you are sick. Let a Nevada mesothelioma lawyer be your guide, taking on the more challenging tasks so you can focus on healing. Look for a professional or legal team with experience working with mesothelioma patients and proven wins.
